View clinical trials related to Autism.
Filter by:The specific is to study the MR morphologic and spectroscopic brain correlates and predictors of development in children with severe developmental disorders (autistic spectrum disorders and/or mental retardation and/or language disorders). Given the frequently observed association of autism with known medical conditions, particularly in cases with comorbid mental retardation and in cases with atypical autism (Rutter et al., 1994; Gillberg, 1995), children with suspected autism or related developmental disorders will be asked to participate in an extensive state of the art laboratory work-up which includes T1 and T2 weighted MRI of the brain. MRI data will be analyzed both qualitatively, looking for focal abnormalities and degree of myelination, and quantitatively, measuring volumes of total brain, cerebellum, ventricles and grey and white matter. For research purposes, the work-up will be supplied with proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) of the brain. This data set provides the opportunity to chart brain-behavior relationships in young children with suspected autism and related PDD cross-sectionally.
The purpose of this study is to understand how genes, environment, and the interplay between the two, influences the development of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
This study will determine the impact of early intervention on the communication and social development of toddlers with autism.
This study will determine whether peer interaction training interventions are effective in enhancing the social relationships of children with autism.
This study will determine whether a gluten- and casein-free diet has specific benefits for children with autism.
This study will identify factors that distinguish children with autism from children with developmental delay and those with normal development and study the efficacy of intensive behavioral therapy in children with autism.
Many drugs used to treat autism target specific symptoms, such as hyperactivity and aggressiveness. Few drugs target the core autistic symptoms of impaired social interaction and communication. This study will evaluate two forms of the drug secretin for the treatment of core autistic symptoms.
Toddlers with autism have poor joint attention skills. Joint attention skills include pointing to objects, following another person’s gaze, and responding to invitations to join in a social interaction. Improved joint attention skills may lead to better verbal ability as the child ages. This study teaches caregivers how to help their toddlers with autism develop joint attention skills.
This study will investigate whether CX516 can improve attention, memory, language, or behavior in adults with Fragile X Syndrome and/or Autism. CX516 is an AMPAKINE® compound. AMPAKINE compounds enhance synaptic strength. There is evidence to suggest that the synapses in the brain of an individual with fragile X syndrome are immature and abnormal. It is possible CX516 may partially correct this synaptic transmission defect and lead to improvement in cognitive and behavioral functioning. There is also reason to believe that these changes caused by CX516 could be helpful in managing cognitive and behavioral symptoms in patients with autistic disorder. Involvement for each participant will last 28 days. Participants will be given study medication, a physical exam, and a variety of cognitive assessment tests to study potential drug effectiveness at improving disease symptoms.
The purpose of the study is to determine whether multiple doses of secretin are safe and effective in the treatment of children with autism.